Dallas Cowboys: Assessing Todd McShay’s early 2020 mock draft pick

Todd McShay has released his way-too-early 2020 mock draft, and the Dallas Cowboys are in an interesting position.

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t been known for making “sexy” picks in the NFL Draft over the past few years but rather picks that best suit their needs. This year, the Cowboys didn’t have a first-round pick, but they used their second-rounder on Trysten Hill, a defensive tackle from Central Florida. Hill isn’t necessarily a “name-brand” prospect, but that’s not going to stop the Cowboys from drafting him.

Since 2010, the Cowboys have only drafted in the top 10 on three occasions. Going after a quarterback or a big-time playmaker is what most fans want to see their franchise do, but the Cowboys went after needs. Whether it was drafting Tyron Smith in 2011 or Morris Claiborne in 2012, the Cowboys tackle their needs, and they could care less if it is a popular pick or not.

The Cowboys had a chance to draft high-upside college quarterbacks like Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Tannehill but passed on them and took the guy they believed would better fit their team. So far, it has turned out well as they have made some pretty good decisions over the past decade or so.

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If you’re hoping the Cowboys go after a superstar in next year’s draft, you are probably going to be upset with who Todd McShay has them picking. With the 24th pick in his way-too-early 2020 NFL mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Alex Leatherwood, an offensive lineman from Alabama.

With uncertainty surrounding the current offensive line with Smith’s injury history, Travis Frederick unsure of his playing future and questionable backups, Leatherwood might be exactly what the Cowboys need to take the next step towards winning a championship.

Leatherwood also brings experience from both the offensive guard and tackle position. In 15 games with the Crimson Tide, he has started all 15 of those games. The offensive line allowed just over one sack per game throughout those 15 games.

Last year, Leatherwood starred at the guard position, but Alabama head coach Nick Saban said this spring that Leatherwood had moved back to tackle. Leatherwood has said that the tackle spot is where he is most comfortable, so that is currently where he is expected to start for his junior season.

The first offensive lineman taken in the 2019 NFL Draft was Jonah Williams, also an offensive tackle from Alabama. If Leatherwood has even an above-average season at tackle this year, he will more than likely get a first-round grade just for wearing the crimson and white. This could be a big advantage for Leatherwood if he can take advantage of it.

If he decides to enter the draft and forego his senior season, I would expect him to get top 20 grades. But if he does fall back to 24, the Cowboys could likely go after this him to continue to solidify their offensive line.

A couple of other early 2020 mock drafts that have been released have the Cowboys going after a defensive back, which is also a position of need. They have a young secondary and could see their top corner, Byron Jones, walk if they aren’t able to re-sign him next offseason.

For now, the Cowboys know their needs, and they will address them in the draft as necessary. I don’t expect them to go out and try to be flashy or do too much either. Their plan is usually to go in, get their guy and get out.

Stephen Jones has been calling a lot of the shots when it comes to the draft, and he’s done a pretty good job so far. If he believes Leatherwood from Alabama is the best player for the franchise at that point in the draft, I have no doubt the Cowboys would take him and make it work.